HOUGHTON, Sherman 0., lawyer, born in New York, 10 April, 1828. His grandfather served in the Revolution, and his father was a captain of artillery during the war of 1812. The son was educated at a commercial institute in New York, and entered the army as a private in 1846, serving throughout the war with Mexico, and being promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In 1846 he went to California by Cape Horn. He became interested in gold mining, and was mayor of San Jose in 1855-'6. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar, and, owing to his knowledge of French and Spanish, and Spanish and Mexican land grants, he soon acquired a large practice. During the civil war he served as inspector of militia. He was elected to congress as a Republican, serving from 1871 till 1875 on the committees on post offices and post roads, the Pacific railroad, and weights and measures. In 1881 he was appointed a, commissioner to investigate the affairs of the United States mint in San Francisco. He now (1887) resides in Los Angeles, California, and practises law.